Master Bedroom Decor
There are always challenges when moving. One of those challenges for me is always feeling the need to switch up decor and furniture. What worked for one space doesn’t mean it will translate well into the next house. However, living off of one budget means that I can’t just chuck everything and start fresh, no matter how much I’d love to.
Another challenge in decorating after moving is the fact that we’re renting. With every rental comes a new set of rules and a new list of things you can’t change. We really lucked out in Baltimore as we rented from my Mother (thanks Mom!) so we had a lot of flexibility in what we were able to do. This house? Not so much. Enter the need for rental friendly decor.
I’ve hit the point in my pregnancy where I’ve finally started getting the nesting urge and no space is unscathed in this process. I mean, we don’t even have all of our pictures on the walls yet…but that doesn’t stop me from dreaming and scheming up ways to change, update and restyle our spaces in a budget & rental friendly way. First on my list is the master bedroom. I’d love to DIY a new headboard, mount some wall lights, and have Emmie help me with some abstract art to hang above the bed. A new crisp duvet and a pop of color through an accent pillow and we’re well on our way to a cozy, rental friendly space.Now all I have to do is get the hubster on board and I’ll be golden.
What are some of your go-to’s to refresh a space?
Dear Emmie
Dear Emmie,
It’s been a while since I’ve written to you. You’re growing so quickly, it’s hard for me to even remember the last time I stopped and appreciated all the little things you do.
Your attitude is very much on par for a classic two year old. Some days you are sweet as punch, and other days, you scream to the point of hyperventilation because I threw away an old piece of floss. Yup, basic toddler.
.
You’ve picked up quite a few cute sayings lately. You’ve grasped that “excuse me” isn’t just for passing gas. You constantly say, “excuse me, Ollie” “excuse me, Mom” as you push us out of the way. It’s so hilariously cute since you’ve managed to be so extremely polite and rude all at the same time.
.
And speaking of being polite you’ve also started to go overboard on the apologizing. I am constantly hearing, “sorry Mom!” “sorry Ollie!” “Ooooh sorry Daddy!” for things that don’t even warrant an apology. Although, maybe they do in your toddler mind.
And speaking of being polite you’ve also started to go overboard on the apologizing. I am constantly hearing, “sorry Mom!” “sorry Ollie!” “Ooooh sorry Daddy!” for things that don’t even warrant an apology. Although, maybe they do in your toddler mind.
.
You’ve become quite the helper. Just the other day in the self check out lane, you handed each grocery item to me so I could scan it, and you know what? It was actually helpful! Also, it was pretty hilarious when you started panicking calling me, “Hewwwwp Mommy! Hewwwwp!” and I turned around to find you trying to haul the full gallon of milk over the side. Yeah, you’re still freakishly strong – that hasn’t changed.
You’ve become quite the helper. Just the other day in the self check out lane, you handed each grocery item to me so I could scan it, and you know what? It was actually helpful! Also, it was pretty hilarious when you started panicking calling me, “Hewwwwp Mommy! Hewwwwp!” and I turned around to find you trying to haul the full gallon of milk over the side. Yeah, you’re still freakishly strong – that hasn’t changed.
.
.
What has changed is your ability to say,“NO!” Oh. My. Word. You say “no” constantly. Some days you drive me absolutely bonkers. I swear there was one day where you said absolutely nothing but “No.” It makes for extremely long days and definitely tests my patience.
.
You’ve been doing a really great job at the gym lately. In fact, the other day while tucking you into bed, I asked you what your favorite part of the day was. You responded with “Mommy workout. Emmie plaayyy!” I responded aghast, “Your favorite part of the day was playing at the gym while I worked out??” “Mmmhm.” Confirmed. I think teaching you a little song has really helped you get over your fear of me leaving you. You now sing “Emmie play’s and Mommy comes back” all the time. You still feel a little anxious every time we arrive and you give me an extra tight snuggle, but we’ve surpassed the super clingy and crying phase.
.
Let’s see what else can I tell you about yourself. Oh,how could I forget, you love to swim. I mean, you’re wild for it. You love being in the ocean with Daddy. You also love the wave-less pond. You love being in the water so much that no matter how cold, how much you’re shivering or how blue your lips are you do not want to leave. You just can’t get enough. You really like it when Oliver can come swimming with us. You are always quick to help find a stick to toss to Oliver.
.
.
All in all, you are such a sweet girl, always one to offer a hug. Still a little shy around groups but you’re really finding your own personality. You’re pretty silly and you love to goof it up for your grandparents.
Destin Vacation
Last weekend we welcomed my in-laws down for an amazing vacation. We spent a good majority of the time playing in the water, either jumping the waves of the Gulf or splashing in the resort’s amazing pool. Emmie was spoiled with attention, ice cream and lot’s of snuggles. There’s nothing like a weekend with family to fill your heart with love, gratitude and relaxation.
Rice and Beans: Dinner On The Table in 30 Minutes
I am always on the hunt for dinner recipes that take under 30 minutes. And dinner that’s ready in 20 minutes? I’m sold. I mean, I typically only have about 22 minutes of uninterrupted toddler free time , thanks Daniel Tiger! So I’m always trying to find ways of getting delicious, healthy vegetarian dinners ready in 30 minutes or less.
One of our staples is Rice and Beans. This recipe fills you up and doesn’t break the bank. It’s super easy to prepare, especially when utilizing a rice cooker. It’s a great base recipe and spicing it up, or mixing up the flavors, is a breeze.
Here’s our typical go to Rice and Beans:
1.5 cups brown jasmine rice
1 can of black beans
1 small red onion diced
2 cloves minced garlic
fresh cilantro
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
salt & pepper to taste
squeeze of fresh lime
fresh green onion
1. Cook rice following directions on the back of the package. We use a rice cooker and it’s amazing. I add water & rice, press a button, and viola! Rice is done in 20 minutes.
2. While rice cooks throw some olive oil in a large skillet/ wok and saute garlic and onions until browned/ slightly blackened. I like to cook over high heat to really sear the onions without making them too soft.
3. Rinse the black beans and add them to the onions.
4. Add spices and mix well.
5. Add cooked rice into bean skillet and mix until rice is evenly spiced.
6. Add a squeeze of lime juice, fresh green onion and fresh cilantro.
Serve and enjoy!
Some other favorite add-ins for our rice and beans:
- Pineapple/mango, almonds & some cinnamon for more of a Jamaican jerk style rice& beans
- Andouille sausage (for me), green pepper, red pepper flakes & cayenne pepper for New Orleans style dish
First Trimester Must Haves For Your Second Pregnancy
Now that the cat’s out of the bag, I wanted to share the things that really helped me get through the first trimester, the second time around! I consider these the 1st trimester must haves for your second, or third, pregnancy.
1. Water Bottle for you and for your little. Staying hydrated is so important when you’re pregnant. Not only do you need the extra fluid to start making extra blood, amniotic fluid, and help flush out toxins but staying hydrated can make sure you’re combating pregnancy fatigue to the best of your ability. Dehydration can make you feel sluggish & slow. A thermos, or water bottle, is the perfect way to always ensure you have something to sip on. If your little one is anything like mine, having a second – smaller- water bottle can help curb tantrums and help your first baby feel special. Plus, if your nausea is out of control you can easily hide ginger ale in your water bottle while serving water in your little’s bottle.
.
2. Doggie Bags. Towing a toddler around is trying in by itself, but have you ever tried to actually get somewhere fast with toddler in tow? It just doesn’t happen. Especially when it’s important. By keeping a roll of doggie bags you can feel assured that you always have a fail safe plan in case that “morning sickness” sneaks up on you and the nearest bathroom might as well be back at home. It’s not the most glamorous but works well in a pinch! I tote around these scented bags.
.
3. Lotion. The second time around your body knows what it’s doing. Muscle memory from the first pregnancy takes over and you start growing sooner. I found my skin to be much itchier this time around simply due to things expanding earlier! Regularly applying lotion helped keep the itchiness at bay.
4. A great-smelling candle. During the first trimester my gag reflex is so much more sensitive. Combine that with a heightened sense of smell and a toddler on hand… well, I often found myself lighting a candle to help mask the smells of daily tasks such as making my toddler lunch or changing a diaper.
5. Snacks. Keep them with you at all times. I loved things packed with protein to keep my blood sugar levels stable. I tried to find snacks that I didn’t mind sharing with my toddler. I saved the Oreos and Doritos for nap time.
6. A soft, stretchy cami-styled bra. Again, your body remembers pregnancy this time around. With my first pregnancy my chest grew slow and steady over the whole 9 months. This time around? Not so much. I’m already at the same size I was when my milk came in with Emerson. Needless to say having a larger sized, soft, stretchy cami-style bra has been essential. It doesn’t feel restrictive like a traditional underwire bra, and having the lightly lined soft cups has been helpful for my sensitive and itchy skin.
7. Meal replacement drinks. I always find these handy to keep around for those days when you just can’t eat a single thing. You still need to get high quality nutrition, but if you can’t keep solids down, this is the perfect solution. Some of my favorites are Svelte and Orgain.
What were your must haves for your second pregnancy?
Tea for Two: A New Baby is Due
All in all, we’re all very excited and looking forward to baby girl’s arrival in the new year. I hope you’ll follow along as we continue on our new journey as a soon-to-be family of 4!
PS: We had a blast taking these pictures for our announcement. Emmie thought our tea party was the most amazing thing of her life.
Fall Capsule Wardrobe
August is officially over and September has graced us with pumpkin spiced everything, deep maroons and the promise of cooler temperatures. We slowly start to trade our shorts, sandals, and summery dresses for our comfy cardigans, booties and army green jackets. Yes, it’s that time. Fall is here! But what should you wear?
As a stay at home mom do you ever feel like you almost never leave the comfort of your yoga-pants, beat up t-shirts and worn down sneakers? I certainly have those days. It’s usually on those days that I run into someone I know at the grocery store and I leave the impromptu interaction feeling self-conscious and frumpy. But, it doesn’t have to be that way! Dressing yourself in the morning can totally change the way you feel throughout the day. Wearing things that make you feel good can really go a long way. Dressing up doesn’t have to mean sacrificing functionality or comfort! To prove this I’ve pulled together a sample capsule wardrobe for this fall season.
The key to a capsule wardrobe is finding pieces that serve you and your lifestyle. As a Mom, being able to run after my toddler is a top priority so I choose articles of clothing & footwear that allow me to do so. I look for comfortable, easy to care for fabrics and a figure flattering cut.
Fall is all about layering! Temperatures vary greatly so you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of options for layering. A base wardrobe should consist of mostly neutral colors with a few pops of color for interest. In this capsule I decided to stick with taupe, cream, grey and olive for my neutral base and added in some mustard, maroon and deep teal for my pops of color. By keeping a mostly neutral palette you can be assured every piece in your wardrobe will be complementary, making getting dressed a snap.
Your capsule wardrobe should always include at least a couple of basic t-shirts, a pair of jeans, one dress or skirt, and a basic button up. Then, add in your seasonal items: long-line cardigans, over-sized sweaters, flowing tunics and we can’t forget the staples like a classic trench and distressed denim. Indulging in a few seasonal trends, like a comfortable pair of over-the-knee boots, can really make you feel current and confident.
Just because we spend our time wiping boogies from noses, cleaning up spilled milk, and chasing kiddos around the park doesn’t mean we should sacrifice ourselves. As a mother we already give so much to others. Shouldn’t we take a few minutes to make ourselves feel as amazing as we really are? For me, a capsule wardrobe helps me feel put-together, organized and ready to tackle the day. I’d say it’s almost as important as coffee…. almost.